Headlight-control switch



May 17, 1927. 29,397

E. LEWIS ET AL HEADLIGHT CONTROL SWITCH Filed Feb. 13. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Edward Zea 1 w f/r/ z/ Zea Z25 AR I'ORNEY May 17, 1927. E. LEWIS ET AL HEADLIGHT CONTROL SWITCH Filed Feb. 13, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Edward ZlI/ll? 17%;? 458 3056 1 N V E N T O R S Patented May 17, 1927.

UNITED STATES EDWARD LEWIS AND HARRY LEWIS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

HEADLIGHT-CONTROL SWITCH.

Application filed February 13, 1926. Serial No. 88,089.

This invention relates to electric control devices, particularly to switches, and has for its object the provision of a novel rotary switch designed to be used in connection with the headlights of an automobile or the like for the purpose of effecting dimming or brightening thereof, as the case may be, in order to comply with regulations in many communities.

An important object is to provide a device of this character adapted to be mounted on or beneath the floor boards of a vehicle and equipped with a plunger device adapted to be depressed by the operators foot for the purpose of operating the switch, the arrangement and construction of the parts being such that there is a ratchet action resulting in a partial rotation of a rotary member each time pressure is applied to the plunger, the successive operations resulting in dimming and brightening the lights.

Another object is to provide a switch of this character of such a nature that there will be no period of darkness between the changes in the intensity of the illumination.

A still further object is to provide a switch for this purpose which will be very safe inasmuch as it is never necessary for the operator to remove his hands from the steering wheel for the purpose of changing the brilliancy of the lights.

An additional object is to provide a switch of this character which will be simple and inexpensive in manufacture, easy to control and operate, efficient and durable in service,

and a general improvement in the art.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the switch also showing a diagram of the electrical connection of one form,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through the switch alone,

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Fi ure 4 is a face view of the rotary mem er,

Figure 5 is an inside view of one stationary end member,

Figure 6 is a detail section, and

Figure 7 is a sideelevation showing a modified circuit.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, we have shown the device as comprising a preferably cylindrical metallic casing 10 equipped with a suitable bracket device 11 by means of which it may be mounted beneath the floor boards of a vehicle or the like. The ends of this casing are closed by heads 12 and 13, the latter being necessarily of insulating material and of disk-like form and preferably telescoped into the casing 10. The head 13 carries a plurality of contacts 14, 15 and 16 each of which consists of a stem 17 carrying a metallic socket 18 and clamping nuts 19 together with a binding nut 20. Within the socket 18 of each contact is a spring pressed brush 21.

Extending centrally of the casing 10 and coaxially thereof is a stationarily mounted shaft or rod 22 held in place as by nuts 23 and rotatably supporting a disk 24 of insulating material having an extension or reduced portion 25 at the end of which is mounted a ratchet 26 secured to the disk as by rivets or the like 27. A coil spring 28 encircles the rod or shaft 22 and bears against the ratchet 26 for urging the disk 24 toward the head 13.

Mounted at equally spaced intervals on the disk 24 and secured thereto preferably by embedding are contacts 29 and 30 arranged in alternation and coacting with the brushes 21.

Slidably mounted through the bracket 11 and through the casing 10 is an operating plunger 31 carrying a head 32 against which abuts a coil spring 33 which also abuts against the bracket 11. Movement of the plunger 31 in both directions is limited by a stop pin 34 adapted to engage against the underside of the bracket 11 and against the outside of the casing 10. The plunger also extends through a guide opening 35 at the lower side of the casing so that its movement will be entirely rectilinear.

Carried by the plunger 31 is a pawl indicated generally by the numeral 36, this pawl being here shown as pivoted at 37 upon the plunger and having a portion 38 overlying the plunger and engaged by a leaf spring 39 secured to the latter. A stop lug 40 is provided on the pawl, engageable with the opposite side of the plunger for limiting the swinging movement of the pawl under the influence of the spring 39.

The device may be connected up with the lighting system of a vehicle as indicated in conductor 46 with the contact 15. The contact 16 is connected with-the conductor 43 through a resistance coil 47 A cut-oil switch 48 may be interposed in the battery lead 46.

In the operation, it will be apparent that when the operator depresses the plunger 31, the pawl 36 will engage the ratchet 26 and move the same a part revolution so as to bring two of the contacts 29 and 30 into engagement with the contacts 14 and 15. These contacts 29 and 30 are tied together at the back ofthe disk 24 as indicated, the tying being in pairs and it is clear that when two contacts, thus tied, are in engagement with the contacts 14 and 15 current will flow directl from the source through the lights 41. f the operator wishes to dim the headlights, he again presses the plunger soas to bring two of the tied together contacts into engagement with the contactslf) and 16, whereupon current will flow to the headlights through the resistance coil 47 the stren th of the current and the brilliance of the lllumination being "consequently cut down.

In Figure 7 we have illustrated a modification in which use is made of headlight bulbs 49 of the double filament type, one set of filaments being connected with the contact 16 and the other set being connected with the contact 14. The operation of this form is the same as above indicated, the only difference being that in this instance there is no need for the resistance coil 47. It is believed that the construction, operation and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art without further explanation.

While we have shown and'described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that we reserve the right to make such changes in the form, construction and arrangement of parts as will not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention, we

claim: a 1. In a switch device of the character described, a cylindrical casing of metal having its ends closed with beads of insulating material, a shaft extending centrally through both heads and arranged longitudinally of the casing, a plurality of contact members carried by one head, a disk of insulating material rotatably mounted upon said supporting shaft and carrying contacts adapted to coact with said first-named contacts, spring means surrounding said shaft and bearing against one head and the adjacent end of the rotatable member for maintaining frictional engagement between the contacts, and means for rotating said rotatable member to a predetermined extent, said means comprising a supporting member secured exterior-1y upon the cylindrical casing, said support and the casing being provided with openings arranged in alinement, a spring pressed plunger slidable through said openings, and a pawl pivoted on said plunger, together with a ratchet carried by said rotatable member and engageable by the pawl.

2. In a switch device of the character described, a casing provided with heads of insulating material, a plurality of brush members carried by one head, a support within the casing extending through the heads, a rotatable member of insulating material mounted on said support and carrying a plurality of pairs of contacts tied together, means for rotating said rotatable member to bring the contacts thereon selectively into engagement with said brush members, comprising a longitudinally movable spring pressed plunger slidable through the casin and carrying a pawl, and a ratchet carrie by said rotatable member and engaged by said pawl.

In testimony whereof We afiix our signatures.

EDWARD LEWis. HARRY LEWIS. 

